After assembling a wide range of research on the present role of capitalism in the 21st century developed world, Professor Justin Lewis questions why we devote so little time to imagining other, more dynamic forms of human progress.

The answer, Professor Justin Lewis suggests, is simple: the key features of our cultural and information industries limit rather than stimulate critical thinking.

“At the beginning of the 21st century, we were far, far wealthier, with extraordinary technologies at our fingertips, but we are far less optimistic,” said Professor Justin Lewis. “I wanted in this book to explore why this is, and what we might do to make genuine progress as wealthy, democratic societies.”

In his review of Beyond Consumer Capitalism, Professor Robert W. McChesney from the University of Illinois, described the book as a “masterpiece”. He said “Lewis makes a powerful case for the severe limitations of contemporary capitalism for a sustainable society”.

Professor McChesney also added that Beyond Consumer Capitalism “should be required reading for young people wanting to understand our predicament”.

Professor Toby Miller from University of California Riverside also praised the book, stating that “Justin Lewis is one of the world’s most acute observers of contemporary cultural politics”.

Out now, “Beyond Consumer Capitalism: Media and Limits to Imagination” can be peeked at and ordered from the publisher's website or from an independent bookstore near you.